A novel ionically crosslinked gel polymer electrolyte as an ion transport layer for high-performance electrochromic devices

In this study, a novel ionically crosslinked gel polymer electrolyte (PADA gel electrolyte) with a transmittance of more than 97% was successfully fabricated and applied in electrochromic devices (ECDs) as an ion transport layer. The PADA gel-based ECDs (PECDs) exhibited the large optical modulation of 61% at 660 nm, the high coloration efficiency of 78.7 cm2 C−1, and a good memory effect. The shortest colored time (tc) and bleached time (tb) of the PECD were 7.5 s and 8.5 s, respectively, due to high Li+ mobility of the PADA layer. The ionic conductivities of the PADA gel electrolyte are 1.33 × 10−2 S cm−1 and 0.56 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 25 °C and −10 °C respectively, since its conductive behavior is similar to that of liquid electrolytes. The PECDs showed good cycling durability and long-term stability, which is attributed to the stable structures of the PADA gel electrolyte.